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Ryan Cornelius

Asked by Mr Gregory CampbellDemocratic Unionist PartyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled Answered 1 July 2025UIN 61484

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will hold discussions with his counterpart in the UAE on the detention of Ryan Cornelius.

Answered by Mr Hamish Falconer

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Ministers regularly raise consular cases with their foreign counterparts. The Foreign Secretary last discussed Ryan Cornelius' case with the UAE Foreign Minister in December 2024. The FCDO takes the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention's opinions seriously. While their recommendations are not legally binding, we will continue to highlight their concerns in discussions with UAE authorities. The FCDO are providing Mr Cornelius with consular assistance, and we take any reports of human rights violations, including coercion and poor prison conditions very seriously and, with the consent of Mr Cornelius, will raise any concerns with local authorities.

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